At what age do children typically begin to express feelings and needs in words?

Children typically begin to express their feelings and needs in words around 18 to 24 months of age. During this developmental stage, toddlers undergo significant language growth, expanding their vocabulary and becoming more adept at using simple words and phrases to communicate their emotions and desires.

At this age, children often start to use symbolic speech, which means they can convey abstract concepts such as their feelings (happy, sad) and basic needs (thirsty, tired) through single words or short sentences. This ability is crucial for their social development as it allows them to initiate interactions and express their thoughts, contributing to more effective communication with caregivers and peers.